Papebroch, Daniel

Papebroch, Daniel (more correctly Papebroek), DANIEL, a learned Belgian Jesuit, was born at Antwerp March 17, 1628, entered the Society of Jesus in 1645, and was by that body educated. He then became a teacher for a while, but finally decided to study theology, and went to Louvain. In 1658 he was ordained priest, but instead of taking a pastorate he taught philosophy in his native place, until Bolland employed him as assistant in the Acta Sanctorum. In 1660 the learned editor of the Acta sent Papebroch to Italy to search the archives, and there he was engaged until 1662. After his return home Papebroch wrote the biography of St. Patricius, and later, with Henschen, composed the Acta of the month of March, then April all alone; and the first three volumes, and finally four volumes with Baert and Jenning, writing May and part of June. As Papebroch denied the pretended origin of the Carmelite Order from the prophet Elias, he was severely attacked by that order. He was also subjected to trial by the Inquisition, and its tribunal at Toledo condemned, in 1695 and 1697, the fourteen volumes of the Acta SS. as heretical. At Rome, however, only the chronology of the popes in the Propylum ad SS., month of May, eighth volume, was condemned. A controversy resulted, and continued until 1698, when the Congregatio Indicis commanded both parties to be silent, and threatened with excommunication the disobedient. This ended the strife. Papebroch died June 28, 1714. His biography is in Acta SS., month of June, vol. 6:(J. H. W.)